Tragic case highlights missing person’s project

Adrian Garcia, Harris County sheriff

Published
8:50 am CST, Tuesday, January 7, 2014

The tragic death of Melissa Rene Sowders in north Harris County has led to a capital murder charge against her husband, and I don’t want to prejudice the case as it makes its way through the local justice system. But I do want to hand out some thank-yous and reminders.

There were hints of foul play as soon as she was reported missing during the week of Christmas. Sheriff’s Office investigators swung into action, gathering evidence about the 26-year-old mother’s possible whereabouts. The non-profit Texas EquuSearch Mounted Search and Recovery Team joined the investigation, helping our personnel search Cypress Creek on foot and afloat near her apartment.

Exploratory dives were made in the cold water by members of our Reserve Command, who are highly trained volunteers, and by Major Debra Schmidt, a longtime certified diver who is now one of our agency’s highest ranking supervisors. I’m thankful for their tough front-line work. Eventually the body tentatively identified as Sowders’ was recovered by an EquuSearch Team, whose mobilization and cooperation make me grateful again and again.

Less visible were the investigators and other HCSO crime-fighters, whose somber work is mostly carried out away from the lights of TV cameras. I always salute their dedication as they try to bring suspects to justice and closure to survivors.

The case does shine a light on our special efforts to find missing persons. Part of the project can be viewed at http://hcso.beenmissing.org , a collection of photos and information made public as quickly as possible following alerts from the public. “Been Missing” allows residents of Harris County to report possible sighting of the missing directly to our investigators.

To report a missing person, call us at 713-221-6000 as soon as possible. You don’t have to wait 24 hours.